Dave Parker

Nice score, I bought one sight unseen ($220) off another list with what was listed as a “190+ lb anvil with metal stand” my unknown 190lb anvil was really a 132lb hay budden. The stand was a NC big face with the kewl step vise. I could not be happier. Once you have anvil and stand in hand try not to grin so big you split your lip. Congrats Dave

I use a small propane knife makers forge as I just fool around and make small projects. One source of brake drums you should never overlook is 4x4 clubs and you local mud boggers. Trust me they are hording metal. For a few small knives and anything made out of tools, they will keep you in metal. Most of it will be castoff from tuck modifications, springs, broken axles, plenty of short round and square stock 1 inch to 2 is common. Most of these guys are master shade tree mechanics and welders and they are also a great source for used tools. For a few beers and a plate of BBQ some will do a small welding job if you need something bigger than you are able to do yourself. As an example of the types deals you can find, I have gotten a craftsman stick welder with table, helmet and the springs off a 5-ton military truck, several smaller springs and some giant bolts for $80.00 and a small knife. Be inventive, be nice and find the groups that work metal but are not into melting it. I realize you have your forge now but wanted to post this for the sake of others. Also to remind everyone that networking is a good way to find material and customers. BTW, I just picked up a small stainless steel sink 10x12 inches, 5 deep for a firepot. It should work well enough for a part time metal burner like me. Dave

Farriers have a wide range of skill sets, ability and training. Some only cold shoe, some forge hot, some are specially trained to administer basic medical care (corrective shoes, treat hoof injuries, etc) and some are not. A good one is in high demand and can shoe a house in a quarter of the time it takes a beginner. Working faster means more horses are done and that means more money. Some only work on high-end horses and some run a route. Not many work for only one employer, as there are few places with enough horses that require a full time farrier. I am betting across the country the going rate changes based on availability but here in this part of Florida, I think you can still get a horse shod for about $125 and they will come back about every 6-9 weeks to do it again. Having seen them work slowly and do five horses a day, they should easily be able to do more. They all seem to drive tricked out 4x4 trucks so I am guessing they make a decent living. If you are thinking about that line of work, I suggest you call a few and offer to help free for a few days. One would probably let you and you could see if you really want to seek the training. Good luck.

How about a step-by-step next time? Everyone does things a little differently and I am always looking for new techniques. They are impressive, thanks for sharing.

Don’t feel bad. I walked away from a 300 pound anvil because I didn’t want to move it. The guy only wanted $100 bucks for it. I’ll probably never find one in that condition for that price again.

Not a bad start, looks like you have a nice set up and plenty of room to expand. I also work roofless, in the summer I wait until the shade is in the backyard. You can still fool around a few hours almost everyday. Here in Florida no shade and rain are both problematic. Dropping hot metal caused me to learn a few dance moves, stamping out fires while hoping the neighbors did not see me. That ended when I laid down some concrete. Someday a roof will go up but it has to meet code, be approved in advance and the homeowners association already hates the clanging. Luckily, for me they never dreamed a rookie blacksmith would move in and made no rules against it. Oh well, someone has to drive down the home prices, it might as well involve hot steel. Truth be told no one wants to walk up to the guy with the hammer and ask um to hold down the noise. The lack of a roof limits me to a few hours of forge time and only late in the afternoon. Maybe I will forget the roof and practice not dropping things.

Nice work, I took an easier route. I used a 100 pound counterweight from a large tractor for an anvil for a while. I asked several people about an anvil and was offered a 55 pound HF ASO for $20. When I explained that it would not work the owner goes

Nice job, I betting that she will love them

Welcome Rusty, As Francis pointed out you should get with the gang at FABA (I am a member from Tampa) the meetings are every week; one at each corner of the state. We alternate Saturdays, different groups meet in different locations. That is done so members can occasionally visit other groups. I normally go to the SW (3rd Saturday) I will be there hammer in hand tomorrow. You are closer to the NE group but can visit any or all of them. We would love to have you visit and that goes for any of you, pass through Florida and visit the FABA group near you. Checks us out at: Florida Artist Blacksmith Association

Combining your skills as a metalworker with charity and giving hope is an incredible achievement. You should be proud of your idea; hopefully others will take the time to also help spread some much-needed love in an otherwise bleak world.

When the blacksmith bug bit me, I called a few friends and asked about an anvil. First, I was given a 100 hundred pound counter weight from a piece of heavy equipment. It worked great and even had a few groves on it (ad hoc swage). Next, I was given a 55 pound Chinese made ASO for 20 bucks. To sweeten the deal a 3-inch thick piece of steel was cut to size and welded to the top. It rang well, worked well and I had a workable 85-pound metal smashing platform. Next, I searched for blacksmith boards on yahoo and asked the groups if anyone had an anvil at a reasonable rate. I listed the three states that I knew I had friends and family and offered to purchase an anvil in one of them. I settled for a 132-pound hay budden complete with a NC tool stand for $220. Since then, neighbors and friends have dropped off three RR track anvils, one of which was a real work of passion. I am up hundreds of pounds of workable hammer magnets and only out $240 bucks and a few cases of beer for my brother in law. He offered to drive across Georgia to pick up the hay budden. Getting someone to drop it by Florida took a few more cases of beer and I had to wait a month. Moral of the story - network.

Very nice, I have only ever seen one at work and would love to have my own. Congrats.

Lol, I guess I should have spell checked that post. Anyway, these are the shanks I was talking about. These are two I have just started these are rough but they clean up nice. They are very popular with mechanics and other tool using types. As I pointed out the guys are always tossing an old spring or other piece of steel my way. I make um a few shanks and we walk away friends. The best part about these arrangements is you never run out of mechanics, welders, carpenters and other hardworking (and playing) friends. Many use the barter system for everything or cut friends some slack on the price of their work. You might even talk one of them into taking you for a ride in a truck that costs more than most homes. The free metal is nice but it is equally fun to have these guys ask if you are the crazy old man making knives out of wrenches, keep a few handy.

Look for a local 4x4 club and local mudders. Both types of groups build raised trucks and have always just given me truck springs just to haul them off. Occasionally you can get other cut offs free or through a little barter. I have made up a batch of shanks, I use to trade with. I take a box wrench cut one end off and forge a blade, they love um. Except for a few odd and ends most of my steal has been free. Local welders are also good folks to know. Good luck, Dave.swordsmandp

You are right; technically, they are halberds and not pikes. When they were packed for shipping the seller placed them into a large PVC pipe and faced them opposite directions. He did this to balance the load. He then built large circular containers to cover the metal ends. When it was all done UPS showed up at the door with what the driver must have thought was the world

Good idea, here are a few close up shots. It stands at six feet, the pike on top is 11 inches and it is 11 inches wide as measured from the axe to the hook. You can see the level of detail. Weighing in at 10 pounds it is not something you want to drop on your foot. Brass with a 1

I made one from a 6 inch pole cut down and anchored into the ground. It didn't work (kept moving) so I added another pole, lots of wire, some wood, nails and it still wiggles. Your stand is much better. I would copy it but my welding is worse than my wood working skills, lol.

Hi all, I wanted to test my new avatar. This pike is an antique but not what you might think. This was made for an Earl Flynn movie called The Sea Hawk, I have two of them. The are heavy brass beasts. They are only seen a few times in the film; mostly troops marching by. Thought you might get a kick out of them. Dave

Hi everyone, I joined a while back but never got around to introducing myself. Although I am new to blacksmithing, metalworkers of all kinds have always fascinated me. My newfound friends at the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association have taken me under their ever-watchful eyes and now that I have joined your ranks I will learn even more. Swordsmandp/ aka Dave Parker